How do exterior elements, such as a covered dock, get counted? Would that be considered a slab or exterior hardscape and not part of the building?

This credit has relatively few LEED Interpretations, and so there may not be specific guidance from USGBC on some specific issues such as this one. It appears likely that a loading dock should be considered part of the building structure, and included, but some exterior appendages or structures may be more appropriate to exclude.